Rubber bands, cardboard, motors, and real physics. Kids build working contraptions from everyday objects — and explain WHY they work. Starfire Education runs in-person after-school enrichment at top-ranked K-8 schools across the Peninsula. Small groups (3-12 kids), the same teacher every week, real projects, and every session ends with children presenting their work. We are hiring subject-matter experts for our winter session — people who actually practice the craft they teach. An excellent fit for industry professionals, graduate students, and experienced or retired teachers. Who you are You're an engineer (any discipline), maker, industrial designer, science teacher, or engineering student who loves building with your hands You can turn a wobbly cardboard bridge into a conversation about load and structure You're comfortable with controlled chaos: glue guns, prototypes collapsing, and kids rebuilding better What you'll do Run weekly maker-lab sessions where every build starts with a question, gets tested, fails at least once on purpose, and gets rebuilt Teach the science inside the build: force, friction, circuits, structures — at K-5 level End every session with kids demonstrating their machine and explaining why it works, not just that it does Transport and manage the class maker kit; contribute build ideas to the curriculum — paid and credited when adopted Pay (transparent, like always) $55

• 70 per hour depending on subject expertise and teaching experience. Every hour is broken down so you know what you're paid for: Class time: $28
• 35 Prep, documentation & curriculum contribution: $17
• 22 Commute component: $10
• 13 Over and above the hourly rate: Commute allowance of $8
• 12/class for longer drives or bridge crossings Up to $25 reimbursed for background check / TB test (at the completion of a session) $100 on completing the 2-week probation Session completion bonus: $200 per class for 100% on-time attendance, favorable reviews, end-of-session student progress reports submitted, and no student drops due to teacher performance Curriculum credit: teachers whose lesson ideas are adopted into the Starfire curriculum are paid a per-lesson development fee and credited by name How this works Classes meet once a week on weekdays, starting between 1:00-3:10 pm, running 60-90 minutes, on campus at top-ranked K-8 schools One class per day (school schedules make more impossible — we're honest about that); build up to 3-5 classes/week across nearby schools if you want more hours Sessions run 8-15 weeks with the school calendar; winter session begins early January 2027 Groups of 3-12 students, same teacher every week — our zero-cancellation promise to schools depends on your reliability, and we pay for it Training & curriculum — done together, at Starfire Onboarding support: 2 half-day training workshops at Starfire before the session starts A complete, structured curriculum is provided — you'll never walk in without a plan You're expected to contribute back: session feedback, lesson improvements, and your own ideas.

Our curriculum is built with teachers, not handed down to them Paid observation of one ongoing class before you start; ongoing coaching and a community of fellow teachers Non-negotiables Local to the Bay Area (no relocation, no remote) 1+ years working with children ages 5-14, and genuine warmth for that age group Fluent English, excellent communication with kids AND parents LiveScan background check, TB clearance, mandated reporter training before first class (we reimburse up to $25) Punctuality is sacred: schools and parents rely on us because our classes always happen Close Job type: Part-time

Pay:

$55

• 70/hour

Schedule:

after school, weekdays

Location:

Menlo Park, Palo Alto Schools (on-campus)

Benefits:

paid training, flexible schedule, professional development, referral program, curriculum development fees. Tell us what you've made, built, written, or shipped — we'd love to hear it.

Pay:

$55.00

• $70.

00 per hour Expected hours: No less than 2.0 per week

Work Location:

In person